Writers Guild of America Nominations: Nightcrawler, Whiplash (in Original), American Sniper

The Writers Guild of America’s nominations for 2014 films have given us a largely predictable set of choices, based on the previously reported ineligibility of major contenders like Selma, The Theory of Everything and Mr. Turner.  The most recent revelations of Birdman being ineligible (a fact that was revealed on Dec. 18th but blew up last night) was evident here today and Whiplash showed in Original Screenplay despite AMPAS putting it in Adapted. The only major surprise was Guardians of the Galaxy triumphing over Inherent Vice in Adapted.  Paul Thomas Anderson hit with the WGA for The Master (2012) but missed out at the Oscars.

With Birdman out, Foxcatcher catches a break and continues what has been a nice comeback this awards season. Boyhood, The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Imitation Game and Nightcrawler continue their dominance as the only films to have hit every major guild so far.

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Boyhood, Written by Richard Linklater; IFC Films
Foxcatcher, Written by E. Max Frye and Dan Futterman; Sony Pictures Classics
The Grand Budapest Hotel, Screenplay by Wes Anderson; Story by Wes Anderson & Hugo Guinness; Fox Searchlight
Nightcrawler, Written by Dan Gilroy; Open Road Films
Whiplash, Written by Damien Chazelle; Sony Pictures Classics

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
American Sniper, Written by Jason Hall; Based on the book by Chris Kyle with Scott McEwen and Jim DeFelice; Warner Bros.
Gone Girl, Screenplay by Gillian Flynn; Based on her novel; 20th Century Fox
Guardians of the Galaxy, Written by James Gunn and Nicole Perlman; Based on the Marvel comic by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning; Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
The Imitation Game, Written by Graham Moore; Based on the book Alan Turing: The Enigma by Andrew Hodges; The Weinstein Company
Wild, Screenplay by Nick Hornby; Based on the book by Cheryl Strayed; Fox Searchlight

DOCUMENTARY SCREENPLAY
Finding Vivian Maier, Written by John Maloof & Charlie Siskel; Sundance Selects
The Internet’s Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz, Written by Brian Knappenberger; FilmBuff
Last Days in Vietnam, Written by Mark Bailey & Kevin McAlester; American Experience Films
Red Army, Written by Gabe Polsky; Sony Pictures Classics